Hey guys! I know, I know. I'm sorry for leaving you guys on that cliffhanger last chapter. Some stuff happened and I couldn't update as soon as I wanted to. On other news I got braces! They're kinda irritating. Also my physics teacher gave us a summer assignment and none of his students knew until a few days ago and now I'm freaking out.

By the way, as odd as it sounds, writing Fanfiction has really helped with writing my college essay. Being a beta helps even more. I feel like I've really become a better writer because of this site and I'm really grateful!

A rock went sailing as the boy kicked it further and further away. His threadbare sneakers slapped the ground as he walked and there was a slight hesitation in his steps as though he was checking his path before proceeding. His knuckles were bleeding and there was a wall hurting in one of the many alleyways he had passed before. A stray cat hissed at him when the rock landed near it. He paused for a second and swiveled towards the sound and hissed back angrily. The cat scampered off. Not that he could see its response. The world was blurry to him, even though his glasses. He could track movements with his eyes but he could never see people's faces much less their eyes. They say the eyes are the window to the figured this meant he'd never be able to truly understand another person.

There were ways ,of course, for him to get better but they were sadly out of his reach. He'd resigned himself long ago. After all, how could you miss something you never had. He'd given up hope a long time ago.

So why didn't he understand? There was no point in keeping him around. He was born in the gutter, he was going to die in the gutter. Why bother trying to give him things to enjoy life? As far as he could see there was nothing worth celebrating. Everyone, every single person on this planet will meet the same fate-death. It was unavoidable.

"Well then boy...thought you'd bailed..."A playful voice murmured from one of the shadows.

He turned at the sound and the young woman stepped out. "Don't tell me you forgot me so soon,boy?"

"How could I,Kira? What do you want? Let me guess, Tanner wants me on another errand for him. Or perhaps he needs me to help you plan your next little escapade."

A flash of irritation and anger crossed across Kira's face. "Actually he wanted to send you his best wishes. The plan failed. There was a complication so it's back to the drawing board. "

"Right and because I'm the only one with an actual brain cell I have to do it don't I?"The boy rolled his eyes.

Kira grabbed a folding knife from her pocket and flicked it open, the silver metal gleaming in the sunlight.

The boy had heard the sound and the knife's shine.

"Don't. Test. . If it wasn't for the fact that your death would raise suspicion we would have gutted you and hung your corpse on the nearest flagpole."

The boy just shrugged and spread his arms. "Well there you go. You can't kill me."

"No."Kira agreed. "But I can hurt you a little." She smiled like a feral wolf. She sauntered towards him. He tried not to recoil as she paced a manicured hand on his chest. Kira had no boundaries and no qualms about anything. She would sleep with some guy then go down on his younger brother the next hour. She was wild and quite frankly, disgusting. "Aw imagine the look on that bird brain's face when his precious Caden shows up missing a few fingers and possibly his eyes. How gorgeous they are." She reached towards his face.

Caden's jaw clenched. He grabbed her arm and yanked it away from him. "Just keep your end of the bargain and I'll keep mine. I'll work on the plans as long as you stay away from us." He turned and stalked off back down the path he had come. Kira's hair raising laughter followed him.

The light streamed through a crack between the curtains and directly onto Akiza's face. She was in a fetal position under her covers, her red hair splayed loosely around her. She jolted slightly and groaned trying to block the intruding light. Finally giving up, she swung her legs and yawned. An hour later she was dressed and ready.

She grabbed her bag and ambled downstairs. Her parents were already seated at the table and after giving a quick kiss to her mom she took her place. Her father looked up from his eggs and gave her a small smile. "Good Morning." He said.

"Good Morning. Its nice to see you here Dad, but don't you have work?"

He waved his fork in the air."Well, as it seems that my schedule has changed. I'll be working at home alot more from now on."

"Didn't you say that you were busy trying to get those new laws passed and get more funding for startup businesses? Why the sudden change?"

"They've switched all the forms to online versions so there's no need to make the trip. Plus we've afternoon meetings allow for the Senators to gather all the information needed." The lie slid smoothly from his lips as only a politician could do. Any qualm he had about lying to his family was squashed by the fact that if he didn't they may become 'collateral damage' as the head police commissioner said. He switched topics."And where are you off to? Isn't school closed today? You should be studying."

"I am. I am. Don't worry. The twins need some help so Yusei is going to tutor us at their place. I'll be going around 11."

"Oh but its only 9 now. What are you going to do in the meantime?"Her mother asked.

Akiza shrugged."I'm not sure. Yusei's going to put us through the wringer so I'm going to go for a quick walk."

"Take a security guard with you."Her father said before he could stop himself. Then elaborated. "Just for extra protection."

"Dad, I've walked through the streets plenty of times before-I'll be fine."

"Even so. It would make me feel a bit better if someone was with you."

Akiza sighed. She and her parents were just beginning to repair their relationship and she so desperately wanted to be the good girl. After what happened she knew she owed them that much at least. So that's why she accepted even as her instincts told her not to.

Akiza could feel the man's presence behind her. It made her skin crawl to know she was being watched. She walked through the front gates. The security guard had asked if she had wanted to take the car but she refused. She didn't see what the problem was. The Izinskis lived in a safe, high end part of New Domino city called the Tops. The buildings were pristine, and usually had an awful lot of security. Sprawling gardens. Celebrities. Politicians. Fancy cars. You could find all of that here. The twins' house was about a mile away but still within the same area. On the way there was a public park. It was the only part of the Tops that was open to people who weren't residents. She was heading there now. The guard stood alert at a respectful distance but close enough that he could protect Akiza.

When she reached the park she sat on one of the wooden benches lining the sidewalks and fished out her phone and a piece of paper. The paper, when unfurled, contained a phone number written in green ink. She sat and stared at it, weighing her options.

A few kids were playing ball nearby and a boy in a gray sweatshirt was watching them. A soft breeze tickled her face and rustled the leaves. Finally she made up her mind. She dialed the number shivering slightly with anticipation. After 2 rings the person the other end picked up and a clear voice rang out. "Bonjour?Who is this?"

"Um, hi Sherry...um..this is Akiza… we met the other day at the mall..." She was tongue tied but thankfully Sherry had given a start of recognition.

"Le femme rouge! Yes I remember-How are you?" Akiza blushed at the nickname. Even with her limited French skills, she knew it was an obvious reference to the fact that she had been red as a tomato when they had first met. She cringed at the memory.

"I'm fine. Thank you! How are you doing?"

"A little of this, a little of that. Unfortunately being a pro racer isn't all fun and games. I'm expected to sponsor the next tournament. Plus I have to keep working on organizing protests for the next few weeks. Although that bit I'm happy to do." She added.

"I see. I think my father mentioned something about working with your organization."

"Your father?"

"Senator Izinski. My name is Akiza Izinski."

There was a slight pause on the other end before Sherry answered. "Oh yes I remember. I've met him a few times. He's a good you free this week?"

"Free?" She was caught off guard by the sudden change in topic. She was aware of the bodyguard behind her and her palms turned sweaty. "Well I've got classes all week but I should be free this Friday."

"Superb! How about I pick you up from school and we could go out to a cafe?"

Akiza cocked her head and one hand covering her growing grin. She'll be the first to admit that she didn't have much experience in the love department. Everyone had been scared off by her fearsome reputation and if people had found out that she was a lesbian it would have been so much worse. Before she wouldn't have bothered with love. She had thought of it as useless, she didn't need anybody. But the pangs in her heart, the cheer and forgiveness of those around her made her change.

Even if she was forcing herself she would try and change.

"Hey! What's the big idea?" A voice shouted from behind her.

She turned to see the boy from the bench with his arms pinned behind his back by her bodyguard.

"Are you alright?"Sherry's concerned voice filtered through the phone.

"Yeah. I just- Can I call you back?"Without waiting for an answer she clicked off the phone and jogged towards them. "What are you doing? Let him go!"

Her bodyguard turned towards her voice. "Madam this boy was acting shifty and was listening in on your was watching you."

"I was not! Well fine, I was but I was just curious. I couldn't help but stare. Your hair is super bright and pretty!" The boy squirmed, embarrassed.

"Let him go."She ordered.

"But miss-"

"I said let him go. You heard him, he's done nothing wrong."

The bodyguard released him and stepped backwards. The boy glared at him and adjusted his glasses. His movements were sluggish, as though he was checking the path in front of him before stepping.

"Are you okay?"Akiza asked gently. "I'm so sorry about that."

The boy waved her off."Nothin' except a few bruises around my wrists. It's fine though, I bruise easily anyway."

"Is there anything I can do for you? I'm so sorry."She repeated. She genuinely did feel bad.

"Look it's totally fine. But if you want you can get me some hot chocolate."He grinned.

She grinned back and huffed. "Alright then. Let's go."

About ten minutes later they were walking through the park steaming cups in hand. Akiza had gotten herself a coffee. The boy had a donut and hot chocolate. He was scarfing it down.

"So you're the Senator's daughter?"

"How do you know?"

"Well I was kinda lying about not listening." She raised an eyebrow and he shrugged. "What can I say? I'm a kid, I can get away with it."

She laughed. The boy looked to be around 15 or 16 and everything about him seemed worn. Worn clothes. Worn expression. Worn shoes. Even his posture reeked of ache and tiredness. She also noticed the hesitation in his steps.

"You finished staring?" He took a sip.

"Oh..sorry about that." She looked away quickly.

"Nah it's all good. I can tell you're watching me from your body language."

"Body language?"

"I can't really see great. Only out of one eye. And even then it's only partial vision not a lost cause though." He shrugged like it wasn't a big deal.

"I'm sorry. That must be difficult."Akiza picked up on what he was saying between the lines. No medical treatment for him. Stupid propriety.

"Nah. It's really not. You can't miss what you never had." He rolled his shoulders back slightly, giving them a quick stretch. "And anyway, there's hope. I hear you're old man's doin' some good things for the branded and orphans."

"He is. I hope things change soon. I can't stand this anymore. The Facility destroys people and their lives. It's sick." She felt a strong pull towards the kid. A mixture of sadness and rage that since he had no weight behind his name he was treated like the lowest of the low. In this city, being an orphan was just as bad as being branded. He might talk big but he was still a kid.

"Is he super busy?Your dad, I mean." He interrupted her reverie. A breeze blew through their hair, rustling it.

"Well yeah. His schedule changed so he's at home a lot more. But he's always holed up in his study. Then he heads off for a bunch of meetings at the hall.I don't really get to see him until dinnertime. Even then it's a slim chance. He's always busy and I know that I have my mom but it's just not the same. I feel like maybe they're avoiding me. They have every right after what I've done-" She cut herself off and clasped a hand over her mouth. She had nearly said too much. When she was talking to him, it was easy to forget that he was a child-a STRANGER even. But that wasn't the only thing."Sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"It's cool."His expression signed slightly. "I know it's kinda weird but I kinda enjoy it when people talk about their families. It helps me imagine what it would be like if mine hadn't thrown me into a gutter. It's interesting."

"Nobody takes care of you?"

A nerve pulled taught in his face."Yeah I've got someone taking care of me. I wish I hadn't though." He didn't elaborate and Akiza sensed that she shouldn't push. They were crossing over a little bridge that looped back to where they originally met up. "A buddy of mine saw a super nice car leave through your gates a few mornings ago. Said it looked super nice, all silver. "

"Oh! That's my dad's porsche. Odd, Jack must have taken it out for a repair or something. He's my dad's driver. Or perhaps he must have taken it to the back of the house. We have a second garage there with a few tools and stuff in the shed.I guess I wouldn't have seen it, I would have gone to school by then."

"I see. Well, my buddy really liked it. Now he wants to try and get one himself. Can't get him to shut up." He rolled his unseeing eyes. Inwardly he was grinning like a madman and patting himself on the back. "Do you at least get to see your dad off? Like when he heads off?"

She shook her head. "No not really. I usually head home for lunch since I have a 2 hour break in between my classes. I guess he just leaves while I'm upstairs or something. Our dining room is in direct view of the door."

"Huh." He tossed his cup in the nearest garbage can. Time to skedaddle. He made a big show of checking his watch and frowning."Oh man, I gotta get going. I'm going to be late for-babysitting my siblings."He started speed walking backwards towards the street. "It was fun talking! I'll see you around! Thanks for the hot chocolate!"

"Wait! I don't even know your name!"

He winked at her. "It's Caden! See ya Akiza!" And just like that he was gone.

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